Pirates Place Francisco Cervelli On 7-Day Concussion DL

The Pirates announced just before today’s game that they placed catcher Francisco Cervelli on the 7-day concussion DL. Fellow backstop Jacob Stallings has been recalled to take his place on the active roster.

That’s unwelcome news for the Bucs, who say that Cervelli alerted the organization to symptoms last night, per MLB.com’s Adam Berry (via Twitter). At this point, the prognosis is unknown.

It is hard to overstate Cervelli’s importance to a Pirates club that is trying to hang in a tough NL Central race. He has been not only one of the team’s best players, but one of the very most productive receivers in all of baseball. In just 218 plate appearances, Cervelli has already set a career-high with nine home runs and carries a .257/.390/.486 slash with a healthy 14.2% walk rate.

If the Pirates can’t stay close enough to a postseason berth, of course, some summer trade movement is likely. In that event, Cervelli could be a major possible trade asset — if, that is, the 32-year-old is at full health.

Under the three-year, $31MM extension Cervelli signed early in the 2016 season, he’s owed $10.5MM this season and $11.5MM for 2019. Those contract rights could hold appeal for contenders, but the injury questions have certainly mounted in recent seasons.

The veteran backstop missed significant time in 2017, ending the season on the DL owing to a quad injury. Earlier in the year, he twice spent time on the concussion DL. Unfortunately, today’s news represents a continuation of a rather extensive history of head injuries for Cervelli.

Comments

His batting average has plummeted the last month.He has always had injury problems.I was surprised that he got the big three year contract although I was also surprised that they had previously offered four years at a clearly higher rate to Russell Martin.I think that he is a key player in that he brings enthusiasm like Harrison does.He has always walked a lot as he has a good eye at the plate. I think that they keep him this year and may very well keep him next year unless a team like the Red Sox will overpay for him.I do not think that he will finish his career in Pittsburgh though as Stallings deserves a ML chance soon at a much lower rate of pay.

It has been taking on water for over a month.No power hitters to win close games.Digression from Bell and Polanco.No super stars left to carry the team.Bullpen was a disaster for a month.Pitching policy too predictable.Some dead weight.Buccos still battle,just as they have the last couple of years,but they are far too inconsistent to win in the toughest division in baseball.

“but they are far too inconsistent to win in the toughest division in baseball.”

If the pirates suck, don’t use division to highlight accomplishment. You know more than me, about your team and everything you just listed plausible but… I believe Pirates play in the 3rd best division in baseball after AL East and NL West.

But Nice try. I could see you making the playoffs in the AL Central. I like how your team keeps fighting. Who knows, if everything goes right, maybe this yr.

I have to disagree.The Al east is top heavy with the Yankees and Red Sox.The NL west is a mishmash of teams that have played so so this year.Maybe in other years you are right,but I do not see it this year.
I could see many teams challenge the Indians this year.Unfortunately,that is damning with faint praise.And there is little or no chance for anybody but the current top six teams in the AL to make the playoffs this year.
I did not say that the Pirates suck,but they are too inconsistent to be competitive for the top spot in any division except the Al central let alone this one.
I appreciate your encouragement but Pirate fans know this routine all too well.